Virginia's wildfire season ends; search is on for arson suspects

The 47-day fall wildfire season in Virginia has officially ended after some much-needed rain showered most of the Commonwealth.

Author:
WVEC Staff

Published:
12:50 PM EST December 1, 2016

Updated:
12:50 PM EST December 1, 2016

The 47-day fall wildfire season in Virginia has officially ended after some much-needed rain showered most of the Commonwealth.

According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, crews responded to 172 wildfires that burned a total of 5,501 acres on privately-owned land from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30. The firefighters protected 412 homes and other structures, but four homes and 22 other structures were damaged.

“Southwest Virginia was the area with the most wildfire activity; was forced to deal with a tremendous amount of smoke from wildfires in Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina, and experienced a rash of arson fires in several counties,” said John Miller, VDOF's director of fire and emergency response.

VDOF is asking for the public's help in locating the arsonists to justice. They are asking for people with information to call their local VDOF forestry office or the sheriff's office.

There is a $2,000 reward available for information leading to the conviction of the arson suspects.